Russ Bowman describes what life was like for his family living in the prefab in Lee Lane in the late 1940s and 1950s. he remembers his mother budgeting for the week on pay day and the family making rugs out… More about ‘Life in the 1940s and 1950s – Russ Bowman’»
Russ Bowman, born 1944, started at St Peter’s school and when Mandeville was built in 1951, he moved there. He recalls his teachers from both schools and talks about the differences in the learning conditions. Interview date: 27 August 2013.… More about ‘Postwar school days – Russ Bowman’»
Many remember the kennels at Sopwell Mill Farm run by the Blowers sisters. Russ Bowman’s dog went there to stay and loved it so much he didn’t want to go back to Russ. Russ recalls the wildlife pond next to… More about ‘Memories of Sopwell Mill – Russ Bowman’»
Russ Bowman recalls living in Lee Lane in one of the new prefabs. Lee Lane no longer exists. Russ explains exactly where it used to be in Holyrood Crescent. He talks about living in the prefabs, the surrounding area and… More about ‘Prefabs in Lee lane – Russ Bowman’»
Up until about 40 years ago, children had freedom to roam everywhere. There were many places to explore in Sopwell and further afield. Here is Bill Mackenzie talking about how he and his mates used to walk along the Watford… More about ‘Walking to Park Street – Bill Mackenzie’»
On the golf course, near Sopwell Gate Lodge, there is a spinney where residents recall that there used to be some kind of brick building. This fascinated the children who played there. It appears to have been a brick built… More about ‘Ice house on the golf course – Bill Mackenzie’»
Bill Mackenzie remembers his job as a child was collecting 28lb coke from the gasworks on a Saturday morning. He also remembers warming his hands on the wall where the retorts were. Interview date: 23 April 2010. Interviewer: Sandy Norman… More about ‘Collecting coke from the gasworks – Bill Mackenzie’»
Kathy Sinfield, born 1929, lived at the bottom of Doggetts Way. She remembers that the gasworks had its own sports ground where they played football and cricket. Mr Ripping from the St Johns Ambulance used to come round with lemons… More about ‘Gasworks sports – Kathy Sinfield’»
Bill Mackenzie, born 1939, lived in Cottonmill Crescent. He recalls some the shops situated in the Old London area: Caleys grocers and off-licence, Mr Sedgely greengrocer and Mrs Hooper’s second-hand clothes. Interview date: 23 April 2010. Interviewer: Sandy Norman … More about ‘Old London Road shops – Bill Mackenzie’»
Jasim Uddin, born 1970 in Sylhet Bangladesh, tells the story of his father who came to St Albans in the 1960s and the jobs he had. Later he owned the first Indian restaurant in Hertfordshire, the Koh-I-Noor in George Street.… More about ‘Stories of an immigrant family from Bangladesh – Jasim Uddin’»
